21 dead in Pakistan earthquake

At least 21 people were killed and about 150 injured when buildings collapsed in Balochistan province of southwest Pakistan today during a massive earthquake that was felt across the region.

The deaths were recorded in the remote Panjgur and Kharan districts of Balochistan, TV news channels quoted officials as saying.

Eight children and two women were among the dead.

The remote Mashkel area of Kharan district and Panjgur district were hit hardest by the high-intensity earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale.

Hundreds of homes were destroyed or damaged in these areas, reports said.

Barracks of the paramilitary Frontier Corps also collapsed in Panjgur, reports said.

In Karachi, several persons were injured when two buildings collapsed.

The Pakistan Army launched rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.

Frontier Corps troops too were despatched to the quake-hit areas.

Medical teams were airlifted by army helicopters and tents and medicines had been despatched to Balochistan, officials told the media. Colour

Balochistan Chief Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad said, "We have received reports about causalities and injuries in Mashkel area bordering Iran."

The quake rattled several parts of Pakistan, including Karachi, Hyderabad and Quetta cities.

The strongest tremors were felt in the southern and southwestern parts of the country.

The epicentre of the quake was in Iran, where state-run Press TV reported at least 40 people had died.

The quake was also felt in India, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department said the epicentre of the quake — which occurred at 3.44 PM — was in Iran near the border with Pakistan.

The depth of the quake was about 80 kilometres.

President Asif Ali Zardari and caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso expressed sorrow at the loss of lives and destruction caused by the earthquake.

They also expressed grief at the destruction caused by the temblor in neighbouring Iran.

Khoso, who belongs to Balochistan, directed the provincial government to assist affected people on a "war footing".

Zardari offered assistance to the Iranian government and the people in their hour of distress.

In a message, the President expressed condolences on behalf of the people of Pakistan.